Take-up latching mechanism



March 30, 1954 R. MARPLE TAKE-UP LATCHING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed March 10, 1948 I N VEN TOR.

Mkr Z: v

R. MARPLE TAKE-UP LATCHING MECHANISM 'March 30, I954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed March 10, 1948 INVENTOR.

777d/7/VY51 March 30, 1954 R. MARPLE TAKE-UP LATCHING MECHANISM 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 10, 1948 IN VEN TOR. 7% J22 w /z'7''7'd/T/VEV-2 March 30, 1954 R. MARPLE TAKEUP LATCHING MECHANISM 4Slieets-Sheet 4 Filed March 10, 1948 Patented Mar. 30, 1954 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE TAKE-UP LATCHING MECHANISM Rollo Marple, Jackson,Mich., assignor to Hancock Manufacturing Company, Jackson, Mich., acorporation of Michigan Application March 10, 1948, Serial No. 14,090

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to latch mecha nisms, particularly adaptedfor use on automotive vehicles and more specifically provides latchmechanisms which may be generically characterized as comprising a keepermember which is retractable, in one direction, to enable a closingmovement of an associated door without involving a movement of anassociated bolt, and wherein, further, the bolt can be retracted so asto permit an opening movement of the door without involving movements ofthe keeper.

The present application is a continuation in part of applicantscopending application, Serial No. 414,627, filed September 17, 1941, nowPatent No. 2,450,052 dated September 28, 1948, and one of the twoembodiments herein disclosed is specifically adapted for use inaccordance with the coincidental locking system of said parentapplication.

Principal objects of the present invention are to provide latchmechanisms of the above generally indicated character, which are simplein construction, economical of manufacture, assembly, and installation,and which are reliable and efiicient in operation; to provide such latchmechanisms wherein the keeper mechanism is retractable to permit aclosing movement of an associated bolt relative thereto, but blocksopening movements of said bolt, the bolt being retractable to permit thedoor to be opened; to provide such structures wherein the keeper isprovided with means which continuously acts thereagainst in a doorclosing direction, and so imparts to the latch mechanism a takeupfeature; and to generally improve the construction and arrangement oflatch mechanisms for automotive as well as other uses.

With the above as well as other objects in view, which appear in thefollowing description and in the appended claims, preferred butillustrative embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanyingdrawings, throughout the several views of which corresponding referencecharacters are used to designate corresponding.

parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section, showing one embodiment of theinvention, applied to associated door and pillar members;

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 3--3 of Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 4- -4 of Fig.1;

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 5-5 of Fig.4;

Fig. 6 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 6-6 of Fig.4;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View corresponding to the lower portion of Fig.6, but showing the latch elements in a partially released position;

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing a modification oi theinvention;

Fig. 9 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 9-9 of Fig.8;

Fig. 10 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line Ill-J0 ofFig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line H--|l ofFig. 8;

Figs. 12 and 13 are operational views corresponding generally to Fig.10, but showing the relative positions of the bolt and keeper elementsin, respectively, the released and latched positions thereof; and,

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view of a further modification of theinvention.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through '7, thepillar carries a chambered housing 22, which encloses a reaction member24, a strut 26, a biasing spring 28, as-

.sociated with the strut 26, and a rotary keeper 30, having a series ofequiangularly spaced teeth 3|. The members 24, 26, 28, and are arrangedin the manner described more particularly in applicants application,Serial No. 307,645, filed December 5, 1939, now Patent No. 2,243,282,granted May 27, 1941. The strut 26 is supported, by means of a pin 32,which rides in a slightly elongated slot 34 in the strut 26, for bodilyand swingable movement and functions in the closed position of the partsshown in Fig. 6 to prevent a counterclockwise or door releasing rotationof the keeper 30. The keeper 30 is rotatably mounted upon a pin 36, andpins 32 and 36 are both journaled in the respectively opposite walls ofthe housing 22.

The housing 22 also is provided with a pin 38, upon which a retractablesafety catch 46 is mounted. The safety catch 40 is continuously urged ina counterclockwise direction by means of a hairpin spring 42, whichsurrounds the pin 38, but may be moved in a clockwise direction againstthe force of said spring, so as to allow the bolt 44 to pass thereoverduring a closing movement of the door.

In the closed position of the parts, the housing 22 is wedginglyreceived between an upper abutment 46, which is carried by the door, andthe just-mentioned bolt 44, which is also carried by the door. In thisposition of the parts, the upper surface of the reaction member 24wedgingly engages the lower surface of the abutment 46 and one of theteeth of the keeper 30 is wedged against the upper surface of the bolt44.

The bolt 44 is pivotally mounted upon a pin 48, the opposite endswhereof are journaled in a housing 50, which projects from the rail SIof the door. The nose of the bolt projects upwardly through an openingprovided in the upper wall of the housing 50 and is normally retained ina projected position by means of a pair of toggle links 52 and 54. Theinner ends of links 52 and 54 are pivotally interconnected by means of apin 56. The outer end of link 52 is pivotally connected to the bolt 44by means of a pin 58, and the other end of the link 54 is pivotallyconnected to the housing 50 by means of a pin 60. The ends of the pin 60are journaled in the housing 50 and the toggle levers are normally urgedto the position shown in Fig. 6' by means of a spring 62, which is woundaround the pin 60', and the respectively opposite ends whereof bearagainst the housing 50 and the lever 54.

The pin 50 also forms a ivotal bearing for a safety lever 64, which isdisposed to have swinging movement relative to the toggle levers 52 andB4. The upper end 60 of the safety lever 64 lies below and in spacedblocking relation to the bolt 44 when the parts are in the fully closedposition of Fig. 6, and is effective, as appears in Fig. 7, b preventthe bolt 44 from being rocked far enough to fully release the door.

In order to fully release the bolt 44 from holding engagement with thekeeper member 3a, the present structure employs a lever III, which ispivotally secured, by means of a rivet 12 to the inner face of themounting plate I4. The mounting plate I4 is secured to the rail 5| ofthe door, and carries the previously mentioned housing 56 and theabutment 46. The lower end of the lever I8 extends downwardly to a pointin the rear of the housing 50, and the surface of the mounting plate 74is provided with an opening adjacent such lower end. The lever 70 isprovided with an offset I1, which projects through the opening forcooperation wtih a foot IS on lever 55. Thus, counterclockwise rockingmovements of the lever 10, as viewed in Fig. 5, are transmitted to thesafety lever 64 and cause clockwise rocking movements of the safetylever E4. These rocking movements are transmitted to the toggle levers52 and 54 by means of a laterally turned foot 80 formed on the lever 54,and which lies in the path of movement of the safety lever 54.

The upper end of the lever 10 is laterally offset and extends through anopening 13, provided therefor in the rail of the door 5|, so that suchupper end of the lever is disposed within the body of the door.

Preferably and as illustrated, the outside operator for actuating thelever 10 comprises a push button 09, which is received in a rubbergrommet 92. The inner end of the shank 98 is laterally turned andprojects through an opening provided therefor in the lever I0. Thelatter connection limits the outward movement of the push button 520relative to the body of the door. as will be understood. The insideoperator is also illustrated as comprising a push button I04, thesurface whereof is exposed at the inner side I23 of the door. The pushbutton I04 is carried at the end of a channel-shaped lever I00, which ispivotally mounted by means of a rivet I08. The rivet I08 is secured tothe base IIO of an angle-shaped bracket II2, which is suitably securedwithin the body of the door. The other end of the lever I05 is providedwith a nose II I, which engages behind a projection HS provided at theupper end of the previously mentioned lever HI. With this relation, itwill be understood that a counterclockwise rocking movement of the leverI06, as viewed in Fig. 1, causes a counterclockwise rocking movement ofthe lever Ill, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5. Upon release of the pushbutton I94 at the inside of the door, or of the outside push button 90,the spring 52, associated with the toggle levers 52 and 54, becomeseffective to straighten the toggle and restore the lever 10 to theposition shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which return movement also restores thepush buttons and IE4 to their normal projected positions.

In order to render the push buttons and I 04 ineffective to rock thelever I0, the present construction employs a rockable lever 220, whichis pivotally connected at one end by means of a rivet 22 to the flangeI24 of the previously mentioned angle-shaped bracket I22. Additionalguiding support for the lever 52s is aiiorded by a rivet I255, which iscarried thereby rides in an elongated slot I23, provided in the flangeIZ i. An over-center spring I33 is connected between the lever I20 andthe bracket I22, and functions to releasably retain the lever I223 ineither the unlocked position, shown in Fig. 2, or a lower lockedposition, in which the rivet I25 engages the lower end of the slot I28.

The lever I20 is provided with a downwardly extending foot I32, which inits lower or locked position, lies behind and in blocking relation tothe previously mentioned upstanding projection M0 on the lever III.

The lever I20 may be moved between its locked and unlocked positions bymeans of an operating rod I34, associated therewith. In the broaderaspects of the invention, the rod I34 may be variously controlled. Forexample, in using the present latch as a part of a coincidental lockingsystem as disclosed and claimed in the aforesaid parent aplication,Serial No. 414,627, new Patent No. 2,450,052, the rod I34 for one doormay be associated with looking and unlocking means responsive to keycontrolled means in the manner described in said parent application forthe control of slide I28 thereof, for example, while the rods I34 forthe other doors may respond to locking and unlocking magnets, such asthe magnets I54 and I56 of Fig. 2 of said parent application, so as toprovide for automatic control of the locking lever I20 from a remotestation. Alternatively, each rod I34 may extend upwardly through thegarnish molding of the associated door and be surmounted by a suitableoperating button, so as to adapt the locking lever I20 for manualcontrol.

Considering now the operation of the construction shown in Figs. 1through 7, the parts are shown with the door in the fully closedpositien, and with the locking lever I20 in the upper or unlockedposition. Under these circumstances, the spring 20, associated with thestrut 25, is effective to urge the latter in a clockwise direction. Anysuch clockwise movement of the strut 26 must be accompanied by adownward bodily movement thereof by virtue of the shape of the reactionsurface 24a of the member 24, and any such downward movement of thestrut 28 is effective to produce a corresponding clockwise rotation ofthe keeper 30. The strut 26 is, therefore, effective to positivelyprevent a counterclockwise or door opening movement of the keeper 30 andis at the same time effective to wedge the keeper 30 and the reactionmember 24 between the bolt 44 and the upper abutment 46, therebypositively holding the door closed and urging it more fully closed, andalso positively preventing vertical, rattling movements of the door. Anyfurther closing movement of the door is, of course, immediately taken upby the just-mentioned ten dency of the strut 26 to cause a clockwiserotation of the keeper 30.

Assuming it is desired to open the door, either the outer push button 90or the inner push button 904 may be depressed. Either such depressingmovement rocks the lever I0 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewedin Figs. 3 and 5, and the initial such movement is effective to breakthe toggle formed by the toggle levers 52 and 54. Unless the push button90 or I04, as the case may be, is fully depressed, however, suchmovement of the lever I0 is not sufilcient to carry the upper end 66 ofthe safety lever I54 out of range of the lower end of the bolt 44.Instead, in the case of a partial depressing movement of the operatedpush button, the reaction of the door bumpers (not shown) may besuflicient to force the bolt 44 down to the position of Fig. 7, butfurther such movement is positively prevented by the lever 64. If,however, the lever 64 is rocked fully out of the way of the bolt 44, thelatter may be rocked in a counterclockwise direction sufficiently far toenable the same to pass to the right below the keeper 30 and tocorrespondingly pass to the left and below the safety catch 40 (Fig. 6).This counterclockwise depressing movement of the bolt 44 is resistedonly by the relatively light spring 62, associated with the togglelevers 52 and 54. If the operated push button 90 or I04, as the case maybe, is released at the time when the bolt 44 occupies a position betweenthe safety catch 48 and keeper 30, the spring 62 is immediately renderedeffective to restraighten the toggle comprising the levers 52 and 54,and elevate the bolt 44 to the full holding position of Fig. 6. Thisstraightening movement of the toggle levers 52 and 54 is transmitted tothe safety lever 64 through the foot 80 and brings the latter to theholding positions shown in Fig. 6. Under these circumstances, the bolt44 cannot pass beyond the safety catch 40 and the door is consequentlyheld in the partially closed or safety position.

During a closing movement of the door, the bolt 44 moves to the left, asviewed in Fig. 6, and in the course of this movement engages the safetycatch 40. As previously stated, the catch 40 is retractable in aclockwise direction, and consequently yields and allows the bolt 44 topass thereover into the space between the catch 40 and the keeper 30. Assoon as the bolt 44 passes beyond the catch 40, the spring 42 associatedtherewith becomes effective to restore the latter to the projectedposition of Fig. 6, in which it is effective to prevent a reopeningmovement of the door except by operating the inside or the outside pushbutton, as the case may be.

As the door closing movement continues, the lefthand face of the bolt 44engages the righthand face of that one of the four equiangularly spacedteeth 3| of the keeper 30, which is projected through the lower endofthe housing 22. This engagement applies a force to the keeper 30,tending to rotate the latter in aclockwise direc keeper 30 also bringsthe next successive tooth 3| thereof into engagement with the rearsurface 440. of the bolt 44. The rocking movement of the bolt alsocauses the previously mentioned uppermost tooth 3I to pass beyond theend of the strut 26, at which time the spring 28, associated therewith,is enabled to restore the strut to the holding position of Fig. 6.

If, as aforesaid, the locking lever I20 is moved to the locked position,the foot I32 thereof assumes a position in which it blocks movement ofthe lever I0 and thus renders both the inside and outside push buttonsI04 and ineffective. If this movement of the locking lever I20 occurswhile the door is open, the just-described closing movement brings theresetting portion I38 of the lever I20 into camming engagement with theupper surface of the reaction member 24, which engagement is effectiveto restore the locking lever I20 to the unlocked position.

In adapting the latch structure of Figs. 1 through '7 for coincidentallocking purposes, in accordance with the disclosure of said parentapplication, Serial No. 414,627, the present invention provides for theaddition to the lower end of the lever I0 of a locking portion I40. Thelocking portion I40 projects downwardly through an opening I42 providedin the lower end of the previously mentioned bolt receiving housing 5tfor cooperation with a locking lever !44 corresponding in function andarrangement to the locking lever 344 of said parent application. Asbefore, the lever I44 is pivotally mounted upon the door pillar 20, bymeans of a pin I45, and when retracted, is received within a housingI46, also carried by such pillar. As before, also, the lever I44 iscontinuously biased to an unlocked position by means of a coil springI50, and is provided with an actuating electromagnet I52. It will beunderstood, of course, that each door of the vehicle, which it isdesired to include in the coincidental locking system, is provided withone of the locking assemblies comprising the electromagnet I52 and thelocking lever I44, and also that, as shown, for example, in Fig. 26 ofsaid parent application, Serial No. 414,627, now Patent No. 2,450,052,all such electromagnets may be arranged to be simultaneously energizedand deenergized. It will also be evident that when the locking lever I44is in its projected position, it lies in blocking relation to thelocking portion I40 of the lever I0 and thereby renders both the insideand outside push buttons I04 and 90 ineifective.

In the embodiment of Figures 8 through 13, the pillar I50 carries akeeper assembly I62, which comprises a housing I64, a rotary keeper I66,a biasing strut I68, an associated spring W0, and a safety catch I12biased by spring 42a, which elements are functionally related to eachother much in the manner described with reference to keeper 30 and itsassociated elements, Figure 6. The housing I64 defines an upper dovetailsurface I'I4 which in the latched condition of the parts, wedginglyengages the under side of an upper abutment I16, carried by the doorIIB. In the embodiment now being described, the bolt I00 is a thickened,somewhat elongated body which projects out through the rail of the door,through registering openings I82 provided therefor in the door rail andin the base I84 of the latch plate. The opening I82 is large enough topermit a bodily movement of the bolt from the holding position ofFigures 10 and 13 downwardly to the released position of Figure 12. Inthe holding position, it will be observed, Fig. 13, that the body of thebolt lies behind one of the teeth of the rotary keeper I66. The strutI68 associated with the keeper positively prevents a clockwise or doorreleasing movement of the latter. In the position of Figure 13,accordingly, the keeper I66 positively prevents a leftward or openingmovement of the bolt and because of the continuous urging of strut I68,the keeper I86 in fact urges the bolt I80 in a rightward or door closingdirection. Additionally, as before, the action of the keeper on thebolt, tends to urge the bolt and consequently the door, downwardlyrelative to the keeper and so wedges the keeper assembly between thebolt and the upper door carried abutment I16, thereby affording adovetail action.

Continuing with the description of the latch structure, the bolt I80 issecured, as by rivets I83 to a supporting arm I86 which in turn ispivotally supported by a pin I68. The outer end of pin E88 is supportedby the previously mentioned base I84 of the case plate and the inner endthereof is supported by a deck I90 which, in turn, is conventionallysecured to the base I84 of the case plate, as by means of the turnedover lugs I92.

In the latched position of the parts, shown in Figures 10 and 13, leverI85 is positively held in the latched position, by a late ally turnedfoot I94 on a generally triangular or three-legged release lever I96.Lever I95 is pivotally supported on a pin I98, the outer end whereof issupported by the previously mentioned upper door abutment I16, and theinner end whereof is supported by the deck I98. Spring 2623 is woundaround the pin I98, one end of spring 268 being connected to aprojection ISSa of lever I86, and the other end thereof being connectedto the lever I86. It will thus be appreciated that spring 200 biaseslever I86 in a counterclockwise or looking direction and also biases therelease lever I96 in a counterclockwise direction, tending to bring thefoot I94 thereof behind and in holding relation to the upper end portionI86a of lever i86.

The release lever I95 is adapted to be swung in a clockwise or releasingdirection by operation of either an inside or an outside operator, andfor this purpose is provided with the elongated legs 202 and 204. Leg202 projects toward the inner panel I1'8a of the door I18, and at itsend, is provided with a laterally turned foot 266, which normally liesbeneath, and in operative relation to, a lever 208 which is pivotallymounted upon a pin 2). Pin 2I6 is supported at its ends, by the flange2I2 of the case plate, and by a second conventionally secured deck 2I4.At its lower end, Figure 11, and as is indicated by the legend, lever208 is adapted for connection to means leading to the usual inside dooroperator and it will be appreciated that to release the latch, lever 288is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 11. Thismovement depresses the leg 202 and, consequently, rotates the releaselever I86 in a clockwise direction, bringing the foot I94 above and outof range of the upper range of the bolt carrying lever I86. The latteraction releases lever I88 and enables it to move to the position ofFigure 12, against the comparatively light opposition of spring 200.Slight pressure on the door thus enables an opening movement thereof,.the bolt I80 being momentarily depressed as it passes over the keeperI66, and being again momentarily depressed as it passes the safety catchI12. After each such depressing movement, the bolt I80 is restored tothe holding position by the spring 200.

As will be understood, at any time after the bolt I80 has cleared thesafety catch, the inside lever 208 may be released, which action enablesspring 200 to also restore the release lever I96 to the holding positionof Figures 10 and 13, in which its foot I94 lies behind and in blockingrelation to the bolt lever I86. If such release of the inside lever 208takes place before the bolt I80 has passed the safety catch I12, thedoor is, of course, retained in the intermediate or safety position.

A corresponding door releasing action can be effected from the exteriorof the door. More particularly, as shown in Figure 8, the outside handle2I I is provided with a release trigger 2I2, pivotally supported in thehandle by means of a pin 2 I 5. Trigger 2 I2 is provided with a roundednose 2I6 which normally abuts the previously turned foot 204 on therelease lever. Movement of the trigger thus rocks the release lever in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 10 and 13, in the samemanner as does a movement of the inside lever 208.

Preferably and as illustrated, means are provided to render both theoutside and inside operators 288 and 2I2 ineffective. This means isillustrated as comprising a locking pawl 2I8, Figures 10 and 11, whichmay be associated in any desired manner (not shown) with an externallyavailable key station. Pawl 2I8 normally occupies the inactive positionshown in Figure 11, which may be rocked in a counterclockwise directionto a position in which its upper end lies below and in blocking relationto the leg 202 of the release lever I96.

A closing movement of the door carries the bolt I60 to the rightrelative to the keeper structure as viewed in Figures 10, 12, and 13.Safety catch I12 is blocked against clockwise rotation, but subject onlyto the opposition of its biasing spring, is freely movable in acounterclockwise direction. Thus, during a closing movement, the boltI80 is enabled to push past the safety catch I12. Similarly, while strutI68 positively blocks clockwise movement of keeper I66, it yieldinglypermits counterclockwise movement thereof. Thus, bolt I 80 is enabled torotate the keeper and pass thereby to the locked position of Figures 10and 13.

The remaining modification, Figure 14, duplicates that of Figures 8through 13, with the exception that the trigger 2I2 of Figure 8 isreplaced by a push button 220, received in the outside handle 2 I I'.The inner and reduced end 222 of push button 220 cooperates with foot204 on the release lever I96 in the previously described manner.

Although only several specific embodiments of the invention have beendescribed in detail, it will be appreciated that various modificationsin the form, number, and arrangement of parts may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Latch mechanism for associated door and pillar members, comprisingkeeper structure carried by one of said members and bolt structurecarried by the other member, a keeper element and a cooperating boltelement, pivotal supporting means for each of said elements on theirrespective structures, the axes of said pivotal supporting meansextending in a direction parallel to the plane of said door and pillarmembers whereby said keeper and bolt elements are rockingly supported bytheir respective structures for movement in a plane transverse to theplane of said door and pillar members, mutually coacting surfaceportions on said keeper and bolt elements engageable when the door is inclosed position, said surface portions being inclined with respect tothe plane of said door and pillar members so as to form an acute angletherewith, said inclination being in a direction which will tend tofurther close said door by wedging action when said surface portions areurged toward each other with the door in closed position, secondmutually coacting surface portions on said keeper and bolt elements,said last-mentioned surface portions being engageable, when the door isbeing closed, at a point spaced from the axis of said keeper elementsupport to rock the keeper element, said keeper element beingretractable by the bolt in one direction so that the bolt can push pastand behind the same during a closing movement of the door, take-up meansengageable with said keeper to hold said keeper against movement in theopposite direction and to urge it in said one direction, selectivelyoperable means for retracting said bolt so as to clear the keeperwhereby to permit an opening movement of the door, and resilient meanscontinuously urging said bolt to the projected position.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said keeper holding means furthercomprises take-up means acting against said keeper element to cause itto urge said bolt and consequently said door in a door closingdirection.

3. The structure of claim "1 wherein said keeper element is in the formof a rotary element having a plurality of teeth any one of which arecooperable with said bolt and said take-up means including cam means forbiasing said keeper element in a direction to urge the door to a morefully closed position. y

4. rhe combinationaccording to claim 1, further provided with additionalmeans for positively holding the bolt in the projected position andreleasable upon actuation of said selectively operable means to permitretraction of the bolt, said additional means including a release levernormally in the path of retracting movement of said bolt, saidselectively operable means including inside and outside operators, saidrelease lever being movable by initial movement of said operators aninsufficient amount to carry said release lever from said path, andmeans for carrying said re-' lease lever out of said bolt path uponcontinued movement of either of said operators.

5. In a latch for a vehicle having a door mem-- her and a cooperatingpillar member with a keeper means carried by one of said members, thecombination of a. movable bolt carried by the other of said members,toggle means connected to the bolt and effective when straightened topositively prevent a releasing movement of the bolt, manually operablemeans for breaking said toggle, a lever movable between a blockingposition in the path of movement of said bolt and a retracted positionout or" said path of movement, and means for supporting said lever formovement with said toggle means, said lever being in the path ofmovement of said manually operable means when said toggle is unbroken orpartially broken and being out of said path of movement when said toggleis fully broken. j

,6, In a latch for a vehicle having a door member and a cooperatingpillar member, a keeper element and a cooperating bolt element, pivotalsupportingmeans for each of said elements on their respectivestructures, the axes of said pivotal supporting means extending in adirection parallel to the plane of said door and pillar members wherebysaid keeper and bolt elements are rockingly supported by said door andpillar members for movement in a plane transverse to the plane of saiddoor and pillar members, mutually coacting surface portions on saidkeeper and bolt elements engageable when the door is in closed position,said surface portions being inclined with respect to the plane of saiddoor and pillar members so as to form an acute angle therewith, saidinclination being in a direction which will tend to further close saiddoor by wedging action when said surface portions are urged toward eachother with the door in closed position, toggle means connected to thebolt and effective when straightened to positively prevent retraction ofthe bolt, a safety member adjacent said toggle means, said safety memberbeing movable between a first position obstructing retraction of saidbolt and a second position clear of said bolt, and selectively operablemeans cooperable with said toggle means during a first portion of itsmovement to partially break the toggle, and cooperable with said safetymember during a second portion of its movement in the same direction tomove the safety member to its second position, said toggle being fullybroken during said second portion of movement of said selectivelyoperable means.

7. Latch mechanism for associated door and pillar members, comprising abolt structure and a reaction element carried by one of said members andkeeper structure carried by the other of said members and adapted to bewedged between said bolt structure and said reaction element when thedoor is closed, said keeper structure comprising an element having apivotal support, mutually co-acting surface portions on said bolt andsaid keeper element, said surface portions being engageable when thedoor is being closed at a point spaced from the axis of said keeperelement support to rock the keeper element in a direction such that thebolt can push past and behind the keeper element, means engageable withsaid keeper to hold said keeper against movement in the oppositedirection, selectively operable means for retracting said bolt so as toclear the keeper and permit an opening movement of the door, resilientmeans continuously urging said bolt to the projected position, andadditional means for positively holding the bolt in the projectedposition, said last-mentioned means comprising an element movablebetween a safety position blocking movement of said bolt from itsprojected position and a retracted position permitting such movement,said element being supported adjacent said selectively operable means,initial movement of said selectively operable means serving to carrysaid element through its safety position, continued movement of saidselectively operable means causing said element to move from its safetyposition to its retracted position.

ture carried by th Other member, mutually coacting surface portionsonsaid bolt and keeper structures, said surface, portions being inclinedwith respect to theplane of said door and pillar members so as to forman acute angle therewith,

said inclination being in a direction which will ally (so-acting surfaceportions on said bolt and keeper structures, said last-mentioned surfaceportions being engageable, when the door is being closed, at a pointspaced from the axis of said keeper support to rock the keeper so thatthe bolt can push past and behind the same during closing movement ofthe door, means engageable with said keeper to hold said keeper againstmovement in the opposite direction, selectively operable means forretracting said bolt so as to clear the keeper and permit an openingmovement of the door, resilient means continuously urging said bolt inthe projected position, and additional means for positively holding thebolt in the projected position, said last-mentioned means comprising anelement movable between a safety position blocking movement of said boltfrom its projected position and a retracted position permitting suchmovement, said element being supported adjacent said selectivelyoperable means, initial movement of said selectively operable meansserving to carry said element through its safety position, continuedmovement of said selectively operable means causing said element to movefrom its safety position to its retracted position.

9. Latch mechanism for associated door and pillar members, comprisingkeeper structure carried by one of said members and bolt structurecarried by the other member, a keeper element and a cooperating boltelement, pivotal supporting means for each of said elements on theirrespective structures, the axes of said pivotal supporting meansextending in a direction parallel to the plane of said door and pillarmembers whereby said keeper and bolt elements are both movable in adirection transverse to the plane of said door and pillar members,mutually co-acting surface portions on said keeper and bolt elements,said surface portions being engageable, when the door is being closed,at a point spaced from the axis of said keeper element support to rockthe keeper element in one direction so that the bolt can push past andbehind the same during a closing movement of the door, means engageablewith said keeper to hold said keeper against movement in the oppositedirection, selectively operable means for retracting said bolt so as toclear the keeper and permit an opening movement of the door, resilientmeans continuously urging said bolt in the projected position. andsafety means for positively holding the bolt in the projected position,said last-mentioned means comprising an element movable between a safetyposition blocking movement of said bolt from its projected position anda retracted position permitting such movement, said element beingsupported adjacent said selectively operable means, initial movement ofsaid selectively operable means serving to carry said element throughits safety position, continued movement of said selectively operablemeans causing said element to move from its safety position to itsretracted position.

10. Latch mechanism for associated door and pillar members, comprising abolt structure and a reaction element carried by one of said members andkeeper structure carried by the other of said members and adapted to bewedged between said bolt structure and said reaction element when thedoor is closed, said keeper structure comprising a keeper element, apivotal support for said keeper element, mutually co-acting surfaceportions on said keeper element and said bolt structure, said surfaceportions being engageable, when the door is being closed, at a pointspaced from the axis of said keeper element support to rock the keeperelement, said keeper element being retractable by the bolt in onedirection so that the bolt can push past and behind the same during aclosing movement of the door, holding means engageable with said keeperelement to prevent return movement thereof after said retractingmovement, selectively operable means for retracting said bolt so as toclear the keeper and permit and opening movement of the door, resilientmeans continuously urging said bolt to the projected position, andsafety means for positively holding the bolt in the projected position,said last-mentioned means comprising an element movable between a safetyposition blocking movement of said bolt from its projected position anda retracted position permitting such movement, said element beingsupported adjacent said selectively operable means, initial movement ofsaid selectively operable means serving to carry said element throughits safety position, continued movement of said selectively operablemeans causing said element to move from its safety position to itsretracted position.

11. In a latch, a movable bolt adapted to be moved between a projectedposition and a retracted position, toggle means operatively connected tosaid bolt and effective when straightened to hold said bolt in itsprojected position, an actuator adjacent said toggle and movable intoengagement with said toggle to break the toggle, a safety leverpivotally mounted for movement with said toggle, said lever beingmovable between a safety position in which the outer end of said leveris adjacent said bolt and a retracted position in which said outer endis away from said bolt, the position of said lever when in its safetyposition being such as to prevent movement of said bolt to its retractedposition, said lever being in its safety position when said toggle isunbroken or partially broken and in its retracted position when saidtoggle is fully broken.

ROLLO MARPLE.

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